Russell, Hytner, and Friedman Join Shaw's SPOTLIGHT ON Series

The Stage News is reporting that National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner, actress Maria Friedman and Blood Brothers writer Willy Russell for the next round of the Shaw Theatre's SPOTLIGHT ON SERIES.

SPOTLIGHT ON is a series conducted by Stage critic Mark Shenton in which leading theater figures talk about their experiences in the industry.

Willy Russell will be interviewed on October 20, 2008, Nicholas Hytner will be interviewed on November 21st, 2008, and Maria Friedman will be interviewed on December 2nd, 2008.

Willy Russell wrote the Olivier Award-winning musical Blood Brothers which has just entered its twenty-first year of playing at the West End's Phoenix Theatre. His other credits include Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita.

Nicholas Hytner has directed over two dozen plays for The National Theatre including THE HISTORY BOYS, MISS SAIGON and CAROUSEL.

Maria Friedman recently played a one-woman show at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She is an Olivier award winner who has appeared in West End productions of PASSION, RAGTIME, CHICAGO, THE WOMAN IN WHITE and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

Stage News reports, "Future guests are to include Michel Legrand, multi award-winning composer, arranger, conductor and pianist, and Claude-Michel Schonberg, whose credits include Les Miserables and Miss Saigon."

Photo Credit Ben Strothmann